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2021 BMW 5 Series: common problems and reliability
One of the better 5 Series years.
28 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 5 Series?The 2021 BMW 5 Series has 28 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and service brakes.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 BMW 5 Series vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 5 Series years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the 5 Series?
Across the 30 5 Series model years we track, complaint volume runs from 17 (2022) to 1,947 (2011). With 28 complaints, the 2021 5 Series sits below the model's median of 111.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 5 Series
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 21V096000BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
Campaign 20V601000BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is highly polarized and generation-dependent.
Owner insights cover all generations of the 5 Series. See the full 5 Series owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used 5 Series listings typically run $13,000–$30,593.
Other 5 Series model years
Compare every 5 Series year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the 5 Series against its rivals
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